Researchers from the Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory (LII) of ENES Leon, UNAM, have created an approach for incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto the surface of composite resins used for dental restorations to prevent bacterial growth in the oral cavity.

While highly specialized materials are typically used in the recovery of dental structures, the oral cavity is welcoming to a rich ecosystem of microorganisms and these materials tend to allow commensal microorganisms to adhere and grow on their rough surfaces, encouraging the formation of biofilms that are resistant to the oral environment and hygienic conditions. As such, these bacteria can corrode the material over time, creating structural and color changes, or even causing infections, like gingivitis or prosthetic stomatitis.

Silver nanoparticle deposition on to the restorative resin using mechanical coating for the inhibition of amicrobial biofilm. Source: Dr. Ravichandran ManisekaranSilver nanoparticle deposition on to the restorative resin using mechanical coating for the inhibition of amicrobial biofilm. Source: Dr. Ravichandran Manisekaran

In response, the team suggests that the addition of AgNPs, with their antimicrobial, optical and electrical properties, promises to prevent microbial colonization and thus maintain the oral ecosystem.

"Our method inhibits the formation of biofilm by allowing the silver to remain on the resin surface for a long duration with a sustained release of silver ions, without affecting the fibroblast cells evaluated in this study and provides antiseptic activity in provisional restorations like bisacrylic resin," the researchers explained.

The researchers used a mechanical coating technique with a concentration of less than 0.03% silver without the need for additional equipment.

An article detailing the material, Silver nanoparticles incorporated dental restorative resin and its antibiofilm effect” appears in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

To contact the author of this article, email mdonlon@globalspec.com